I suffered a serious medical episode while visiting Blackpool for BGT and the care I received was amazing
There were even TVs to watch, you don’t get that in Manchester!
A Blackpool visitor who suffered a serious medical episode when he was in town for the Britain’s Got Talent auditions says the care he received at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and on the platform of Blackpool North was incredible.
Scott Bradley suffers from a heart condition which means his heart rate elevates to a dangerously high level and could result in a heart attack.
He was in town with his 82-year-old neighbour Anna Hall for a big day out at the seaside, to have fish and chips, cups of tea and buy a stick of rock - but Scott’s SVT flared up and ruined the day.
They were just about to eat some lunch when Scott noticed the familiar signs that his heart was racing.
The 56-year-old from Salford said: “We were in Costa and I could feel the bump, I started feeling sick and dizzy and I thought ‘not now’.
“It was a big day out, especially for Anna, she’s 82 and doesn’t get out much.
“I was hoping it would pass, sometimes it does but an hour and a half later I just felt like I was going to feint, my blood pressure drops.
“By this time people were queuing up to get in the Winter Gardens but I knew I had to get home, Anna said I’d gone as white as a ghost.
“We got to the station and I just fell on a bench - the train station team moved so quickly, it was unbelievable.
“They put a screen round me for some privacy, someone was checking my pulse and another person was ringing for an ambulance - I couldn’t sit up.”
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Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a type of heart arrhythmia where the heart suddenly starts beating much faster than normal—typically ranging from 100 to over 200 beats per minute.
Scott uses on-the-spot medication to regulate his heart beat, to slow it down but it makes him feel feint. Within minutes, Scott could hear the reassuring ambulance sirens outside.
“One of the paramedics was called Rodney, I didn’t catch the other one’s name but they work as a team and they were amazing.
“We got to hospital and they were absolutely brilliant with me, I cannot fault them. They knew exactly what was happening to me and what was needed.
“The paramedics even came to say goodbye and said to me, if I needed anything to give them a call.
“And then, they came round with tea - and sandwiches! There were even TVs to watch, you don’t get that in Manchester!
Scott was reassured by everyone who helped, especially as he was in unfamiliar surroundings. He has since had further bouts in hospital but says he has fully recovered.
Euan Hilton, Station Manager of Blackpool North, said: “We’re so glad to hear that Scott has recovered and hope to see him back at the station soon.
“We stepped in to help as soon as we realised something was wrong, to make sure he got the care he needed as quickly as possible.
“Thousands of passengers pass through the station every day and we’re always on hand to provide help and assistance to anyone who needs it.”